Friday, November 21, 2014

Groundwater Remediation, A Pressing Need in Today's Times

Water pollution today has reached alarming levels in most parts
of the world. Surface freshwater bodies like ponds, lakes, streams and
rivers have become increasingly polluted. This has resulted in
groundwater becoming an important source of drinking water in many
countries. In the U.S alone over half the population depends on
groundwater supply for daily water needs. Groundwater is today used for a
variety of purposes from agriculture to industrial, to irrigate large
farms as well as in the production of goods.

Groundwater pollution causes

Increased
human activities like construction and mining have resulted in
pollution percolating into natural groundwater reservoirs. Some of the
causes of groundwater pollution also include stagnant storm and rain
water as well as surface water runoffs containing high amount of
chemicals and organic waste like sewage. This results in large scale
contamination of groundwater resources rendering it unfit for human use.

Groundwater remediation

Along
with waste water treatment plants which seek to use recycled water,
groundwater remediation has also become an important initiative to
provide safe and clean water for human use as well as conserve the
environment. Groundwater remediation involves specialized equipment and
experience to conduct the various purification operations. Groundwater
filtration involves removal of solid and dissolved impurities which
includes organic material, chemical substances as well as gaseous
elements.

Different remediation techniques

There
are different techniques used to purify groundwater. An effective
method involves use of vacuum machinery to pump out groundwater for
treatment as well as extraction of gaseous vapors from ground water and
soil. The method known as dual phase extraction makes use of carbon
adsorption process by way of granular activated carbon filters and
portable water filtration units.
Most groundwater remediation
techniques use a combination of different methods for water purification
depending upon the requirements. For example if the groundwater
contains a high concentration of heavy metals then chemical
precipitation reaction is used to ensure conversion of the metal ions
into insoluble compounds. These particles are then removed by way of
simple filtration or by way of settling chambers.

Activated carbon particles

Activated
carbon is an important part of the purification process owing to its
high surface area which causes organic impurities to chemically bind to
the carbon particles. This process is known as adsorption and is highly
efficient in removing dissolved organic impurities which even boiling
the water does not render harmless. Active carbon is used in the form of
fine granules spread out over a wire mesh to further increase their
surface area for maximum effectiveness.

Groundwater remediation is
an important aspect of maintaining public health and as such should be
conducted at regular intervals by the concerned health authorities.

Ashley writes for Pureeffect.com about the various ways in which
the effects of pollution can be remedied. For more information about environmental solution visit our site.